Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO 2026 S/S concluded last week. A wide variety of brands, from cutting-edge to established names, gathered at various venues in Tokyo to showcase their creations. On the third day, Haute Mode Hirata, founded in 1955, made an appearance. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of founder Akio Hirata's birth, a show featuring hats by his daughter and granddaughter-in-law was held at Shibuya Hikarie.

Courtesy of Haute Mode Hirata

Haute Mode Hirata and the Legacy of Founder Akio Hirata
Akio Hirata studied under the French master Jean Barthet. After returning to Japan, he created hats beloved by the Imperial Family and cultural figures, while also collaborating with numerous designers and supporting Japan's hat culture. Founded in 1955, Haute Mode Hirata is based in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo, and has continued to preserve traditional techniques and the spirit of haute couture. Today, his daughter Oko Hirata and grandchildren Saki and Sho carry on his legacy, each adding their own creativity to explore new forms of expression. The show featured 31 new pieces, embodying a timeless story of heritage.

Courtesy of Haute Mode Hirata

A show where hats were the star
The seating at Hikarie Hall A was arranged in a spiral shape, evoking the flowing lines of a hat, and models walked slowly through it. The hats displayed a wide range of looks, from neat designs that sat perfectly on the head to organic shapes that swayed with each step. Particularly striking were pieces that combined tradition and innovation, such as a large hat made from tulle glued with Nebuta paper that would have been discarded, and a hat made from Kyoto Leather, which incorporates Kyo-yuzen techniques.

Courtesy of Haute Mode Hirata

Collaboration with Fashion
The hats for this exhibition were designed with costumes and styling by cutting-edge designers such as Ryunosuke Okazaki of RYUNOSUKE OKAZAKI, Takuya Sunagawa of mister it., and Tatsuya Tamada of Tamme. By combining them with sculptural dresses and minimalist clothing, the hats transcend mere decoration and become a presence that speaks alongside the body. Traditional modest techniques and contemporary fashion design work together to reveal new horizons in hat culture.

Courtesy of Haute Mode Hirata

Transgenerational Heritage
A message distributed to guests read, "This collection captures the past shared with Akio, the present in which we live, and the future paved by hat culture." Ouko, Saki, and Sho create their works with free-spirited imagination, based on techniques such as the molds that shape the hats, the choice of materials, the curves created by hand movements, and attention to detail. After the show concluded, 11 of Akio's hats were displayed in the foyer, quietly connecting the journeys of three generations.

Courtesy of Haute Mode Hirata

What Haute Mode Hirata presented in this show was the very future of hats. Based on traditional techniques, the collection of works incorporated innovative materials and expressions, elevating the hat to a cultural symbol and a pioneering presence for the future. This show at Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO 2026 S/S was a moment that connected the past, present, and future and opened a new chapter in hat culture.

Courtesy of Haute Mode Hirata
Courtesy of Haute Mode Hirata
Courtesy of Haute Mode Hirata